When writing research papers you need all the help you can get. That seems to go double when scouring economics research paper topics for your paper. If you have a due date looming ahead, don’t panic. Get started. Here are some tips and resources to help you create a stunning research paper.

Research paper writing begins at Questia

The best place to start your planning and research is at Questia, the Internet’s largest online library of full-text books and articles. When you get there, browse the library and select Economics and Business from the list of topics. Subcategories here include:

economists

schools of economics

economic history

international trade

Let’s say that you want to check out the topic, international trade because you’ve heard your professor talk about the trade imbalance with China. You can then zero in on the topic, trade deficit, to be presented with hundreds of books and articles such as China, the United States, and the Global Economy, edited by Shuzun Chen and Charles Wolf, Jr. and published in 2001.

This volume is a compilation of papers presented by Chinese and American scholars at the 2nd annual conference organized by RAND in Santa Monica, Calif. and the China Reform Forum in Beijing.

In the chapter titled, “Trends and Prospects in the Global Economy,” author Gary Hufbauer predicted, “To be sure, the gap between OECD and East Asia will close. But on the whole, absolute income differences 20 years hence will widen, and relative income ratios will not narrow.”

Economics topics explained

The problem with economics for many students is the fact that the study of economics involves a lot of theory and assumptions. Many students get bored, confused and give up. This is unfortunate because if there is one study that will have an impact on your future and your career, it’s economics. Understanding economic concepts is important for students as future managers, consumers, business owners and investors.

Investopedia is a web site that should be on “speed dial” if you’re taking any business or finance courses. You’ll find explanations, lessons and videos on a multitude of topics. There is an entire section devoted to the basics of economics that covers topics from supply and demand to monopolies and oligopolies.

If you find that you’re still having trouble grasping the basics then you will find plenty of other resources to help you understand economics. The catch is that they were created for grades six through 12. One such site is EconEdLink.org where you’ll find lessons and videos that illustrate basic economics concepts and issues in real-life scenarios.

Other economics resources aimed at middle and high school grades include:

Economic Education Web from the University of Omaha

PBS Newshour Extra Economics

Federal Reserve Education

There’s no shame in using high school materials to help you get the basics on any subject. In fact, it’s a tactic used by many professional writers and journalists.

Economics blogs

For a fresh perspective on current events, check out blogs. The best blog choices for your research paper are blogs maintained by professors such as Econbrowser. Here, professors James D. Hamilton of the University of California, San Diego and Professor Menzie Chinn of the University of Wisconsin, Madison produce economic insight on U.S. economic developments.

In his August 25, 2013 post titled, “The geography of success,” Professor Hamilton explained how U.S. oil production is affecting economic growth.

“Weak U.S. economic growth continues to be discouraging. But it’s worth taking a look at a few places where things going well for America. There has been a remarkable resurgence in U.S. oil production over the last few years, with levels now back up to where they were in 1992, though still 28% below the peak reached in 1970,” Hamilton said.

Other blogs created by university faculty include:

Marginal Revolution

China Financial

Greg Mankiw’s Blog

Other bloggers who have gained a reputation for their expertise in economics issues include:

Paul Krugman of the New York Times

Felix Salmon of Reuters

Megan McArdle of The Atlantic

We’ve only touched the tip of the iceberg of resources for your economics research paper. With a little searching you’ll easily find many more. Other helpful economics resources include:

Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)

Khan Academy

CIA Factbook on World Economies

Bureau of Economic Analysis

American Factfinder

US Census Bureau

Do you have a favorite site for economics research? Let us know in the comments below.